Unhealthy Hiking Without Preparation and Supplies (Pt.I I)

Hiking is suppose to be one of those enjoyable activities that puts you "one with nature". My image of my two nephews, Jonnie & Brian, Sammie- the couch potato dog, and myself, taking a leisurely walk through the woods seemed like the perfect adventure. I imagined what it would be like as we broke through the clearing on top of Looking Glass Rock and saw the spectacular view of God's creation- sitting on top of the world. Just thinking about this picture of us, Sammie moedeling with her best Rin-Tin-Tin pose, as my nephews and myself stood, arms around each other, looking out over the mountain. This was my vision. That was before we took the first step on the trail.

Actually the trail began it's first 50 yards as I remembered, it was the site of the mountain, the trail that lifted into unknown that I wasn't sure. Within 5 minutes of our walk, I began stopping the descending backpackers with climbing hooks attached the same question I use to ask Pop on long driving excursions: "Are we there yet?" Most time I did not get an answer but just strange looks. Sometimes there would be a chuckle and other times a roar of laughter, but never an answer. All of my crew, Brian, Jonnie, and couch-dog all looked at me as if to say, "What are you getting us into?"

An hour or two into the hike (I don't quite know since I accidently left my watch at home) we stumbled unto a helicopter pad upon one of the large flat rocks. I looked skyward for the longest time, hoping that someone was going to swoop down and rescue me, but no one did. We sat down and no one said a word. I finally broke the silence with, "I remember this spot, the top is only a few minutes from here." Jonnie replied, "That's what you said 20 minutes ago." Brian followed, "That's what you said when we started the hike." I could tell the natives were getting restless but all and all these guys were pretty upbeat.

As we got back on the trail, I saw these two elderly men hopping down the mountain. I gave my standard question, "Are we there yet?" They replied, "yes, it's just 10 minutes if you take the short cut." Shortcut sounded good to me. "You know where the old maple crosses the road?" "Yes", I couldn't look like a complete idiot and say no. Besides what's so hard about finding an old maple. "Turn to the right there and follow the rocky ledge, you can't miss it".

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